Acer Aspire 5738DG, Aspire 5738DZG, Aspire 5542G, Aspire 5542, Aspire 5242 Service Manual

...

Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG Series

Aspire 5542G/5542/5242 Series

Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338 Series

Aspire 5536/5536G/5236 Series

Service Guide

Service guide files and updates are available

on the ACER/CSD web; for more information,

please refer to http://csd.acer.com.tw

PRINTED IN TAIWAN

Revision History

Please refer to the table below for the updates made on Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG, Aspire 5542G/5542/5242, Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338 and

Aspire 5536/5536G/5236 Series service guide.

Date Chapter Updates

Copyright © 2009 by Acer Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.

Disclaimer

The information in this guide is subject to change without notice.

Acer Incorporated makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Any Acer Incorporated software described in this manual is sold or licensed "as is". Should the programs prove defective following their purchase, the buyer (and not Acer Incorporated, its distributor, or its dealer) assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, and any incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect in the software.

Acer is a registered trademark of Acer Corporation. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Pentium and Pentium II/III are trademarks of Intel Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

III

Conventions

The following conventions are used in this manual:

SCREEN MESSAGES Denotes actual messages that appear

on screen.

NOTE Gives bits and pieces of additional

information related to the current topic.

WARNING Alerts you to any damage that might

result from doing or not doing specific actions.

CAUTION Gives precautionary measures to

avoid possible hardware or software problems.

IMPORTANT Reminds you to do specific actions

relevant to the accomplishment of procedures.

Preface

Before using this information and the product it supports, please read the following general information.

1. This Service Guide provides you with all technical information relating to the BASIC CONFIGURATION decided for Acer's "global" product offering. To better fit local market requirements and enhance product competitiveness, your regional office MAY have decided to extend the functionality of a machine (e.g. add-on card, modem, or extra memory capability). These LOCALIZED FEATURES will NOT be covered in this generic service guide. In such cases, please contact your regional offices or the responsible personnel/channel to provide you with further technical details.

2. Please note WHEN ORDERING FRU PARTS, that you should check the most up-to-date information available on your regional web or channel. If, for whatever reason, a part number change is made, it will not be noted in the printed Service Guide. For ACER-AUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERS, your Acer office may have a DIFFERENT part number code to those given in the FRU list of this printed Service Guide. You MUST use the list provided by your regional Acer office to order FRU parts for repair and service of customer machines.

Table of Contents

System Specifications 1

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Dimension and weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Your Acer Notebook tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Right View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Easy-Launch Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Touchpad basics (with two-click buttons) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Using the Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Lock Keys and embedded numeric keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Windows Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Hot Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Special Key (only for certain models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Using the System Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Hardware Specifications and Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

System Utilities 27

BIOS Setup Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Navigating the BIOS Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Boot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

BIOS Flash Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Remove HDD Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Machine Disassembly and Replacement 41

Disassembly Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Pre-disassembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Disassembly Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

External Module Disassembly Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

External Modules Disassembly Flowchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Removing the Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Removing the SD Dummy Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Removing the DIMM Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Removing the Back Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Removing the Hard Disk Drive Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Removing the WLAN Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Removing the Optical Drive Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Main Unit Disassembly Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Main Unit Disassembly Flowchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Removing the Middle Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Removing the Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Removing the LCD Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Separating the Upper Case from the Lower Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Removing the Fingerprint and Touchpad Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Removing the Left Speaker Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Removing the USB Board Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Removing the Modem Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Removing the Bluetooth Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

VII

Table of Contents

Removing the Right Speaker Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Removing the Main Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Removing the Heatsink Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Removing the CPU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

LCD Module Disassembly Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

LCD Module Disassembly Flowchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Removing the LCD Bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Removing the Inverter Board (Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG Series only) . . . . . . . .86

Removing the LCD panel with the Brackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Removing the LCD Brackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Removing the FPC Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Removing the Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Removing the Web Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Troubleshooting 95

System Check Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

External Diskette Drive Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

External CD-ROM Drive Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

Keyboard or Auxiliary Input Device Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

Memory Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Power System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Touchpad Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Power-On Self-Test (POST) Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Index of Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

Index of Symptom-to-FRU Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Intermittent Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

Undetermined Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

Main Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

Connector Locations 113

Clearing Password Check and BIOS Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

Clearing Password Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

BIOS Recovery by Crisis Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) List 121

Exploded Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

FRU List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Model Definition and Configuration 214

Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338 Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

Aspire 5536/5536G/5236 Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235

Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249

Aspire 5542G/5542/5242 Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263

Test Compatible Components 291

Microsoft® Windows® Environment Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292

Online Support Information 295

Index 297

VIII

System Specifications

Features

Below is a brief summary of the computer’s many features:

Platform

For Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG and Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338 Series

• Intel

• Mobile Intel

• Acer InviLink

For Aspire 5542G/5542/5242 and Aspire 5536/5536G/5236 Series

AMD Better By Design program, featuring:

• AMD Turion

• AMD Athlon

• Mobile AMD Sempron

• AMD M780G Chipset

• Acer InviLink

Centrino® 2 processor technology, featuring:

• Intel

• Mobile Intel® PM45/GM45 Express Chipset*

• Intel

• Unex HB95

Core™2 Duo processor

Wireless WiFi Link 5100/5300*

Wireless WiFi Link 5150/5350*

Pentium® mobile processor*

Celeron® mobile processor*

GM45/GL40 Express Chipset*

™

Nplify™ 802.11b/g/Draft-N*

™

802.11b/g*

™

X2 dual-core processor*

™

64 X2 dual-core processor*

™

processor*

™

Nplify™ 802.11b/g/Draft-N*

™

802.11b/g*

Chapter 1

System memory

For Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG and Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338 Series

• Dual-channel SDRAM support

• Up to 2 GB of DDR2 667/800 MHz memory, upgradeable to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules

• Up to 2 GB of DDR3 800/1066 MHz memory, upgradeable to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules*

• Up to 4 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, upgradeable to 8 GB using two soDIMM modules*

For Aspire 5542G/5542/5242 and Aspire 5536/5536G/5236 Series

• Dual-channel SDRAM support

• Up to 2 GB of DDR2, upgradeable to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules*

• Up to 4 GB of DDR2, upgradeable to 8 GB using two soDIMM modules*

Chapter 1 1

Display and graphics

• 16:9 aspect ratio

• 15.6" HD 1366 x 768

• VGA Controller

For Aspire 5738G/5738ZG Series:

• Mobile Intel

• NVIDIA

GeForce® G105M*

For Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG Series, Aspire 5542G and Aspire 5536G:

• ATI Radeon™ HD 3200 Graphics*

• AATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4570*

• Screen resolution support

• 1366*768

• 1280*768

• 1280*720

• 1024*768

• 800*600

Storage subsystem

• 2.5" hard disk drive

• Optical drive options:

• Blu-ray Disc

• DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive*

• 5-in-1 card reader

™

GL40 Express Chipset*

GM45 Express Chipset*

/DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive*

Special keys and controls

• 103-/104-/107-key keyboard

• Touchpad pointing device

Audio

• Dolby

• True 5.1-channel surround sound output

• High-definition audio support

• S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) support for digital speakers

• MS-Sound compatible

• Built-in microphone

-optimized surround sound system with two built-in stereo speakers

Communication

• Acer Video Conference, featuring:

• Integrated Acer Crystal Eye webcam*

• Optional Acer Xpress VoIP phone*

• Wi-Fi/WiMAX: Intel

Series only)

• WWAN: UMTS/HSPA at 850/1900/2100 MHz and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900

MHz)* (For Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338 Series only)

Wireless WiFi Link 5150/5350* (For Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338

2 Chapter 1

• WLAN:

• Intel

Wireless WiFi Link 5100/5300* (For Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338 and Aspire

5738DG only)

• Acer InviLink

• WPAN: Bluetooth

• LAN: Gigabit Ethernet; Wake-on-LAN ready

• Modem: 56K ITU V.92; Wake-on-Ring ready

™

Nplify™ 802.11b/g/Draft-N*

™

802.11b/g*

2.0+Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)*

I/O Ports

• Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint reader*

• 5-in-1 card reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD)

• USB 2.0 port

• HDMI

• External display (VGA) port

• Headphones/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support

• Microphone-in jack

• Line-in jack

• Ethernet (RJ-45) port

• Modem (RJ-11) port

• DC-in jack for AC adapter

™

port with HDCP support

Environment

• Temperature:

• Operating: 5 °C to 35 °C

• Non-operating: -20 °C to 65 °C

• Humidity (non-condensing):

• Operating: 20% to 80%

• Non-operating: 20% to 80%

Dimension and weight

• Dimension: 383.82* 250* 37.74 mm

• Weight: <3.1 kg

NOTES: 1. "*" means only for certain models".

2. The specifications listed above are for reference only. The exact configuration of your PC depends on the model purchased.

Chapter 1 3

System Block Diagram

For Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG and Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338 Series:

4 Chapter 1

For Aspire 5536/5536G/5236 Series:

Chapter 1 5

For Aspire 5542G/5542/5242 Series:

6 Chapter 1

Your Acer Notebook tour

After knowing your computer features, let us show you around your new computer.

Front View

Icon Item Description

1 Acer Crystal Eye

webcam

2 Display screen Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), displays computer output

3 Power button Turns the computer on and off.

4 Wireless LAN

communication button/indicator

Bluetooth communication button/indicator

3G 3G WWAN

communication button/indicator

Backup key Launches Acer Backup Management for three-step data backup.

Chapter 1 7

Web camera for video communication.

(Configuration may vary by models).

Enables/disables the wireless LAN function. Indicates the status of wireless LAN communication.

Enables/disables the Bluetooth function. Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication. (only for certain models)

Enables/disables the 3G WWAN function. Indicates the status of 3G WWAN communication. (only for certain models)

Icon Item Description

5 HDD Indicates when the hard disk drive is active.

Num Lock Lights up when Num Lock is activated.

Caps Lock Lights up when Caps Lock is activated.

6 Keyboard For entering data into your computer.

7 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which functions like a computer

mouse.

8 Click buttons (left,

center* and right)

Power

The left and right buttons function like the left and right mouse buttons. *The center button serves as Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint reader supporting Acer FingerNav 4-way control function (only for certain models).

Indicates the computer's power status.

Battery

10 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands when you use the

11 Touchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad on and off.

12 Microphone Internal microphone for sound recording.

13 +/- Volume Up/Volume

Down

14 Acer PowerSmart

key

15 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo audio output.

Indicates the computer's battery status.

1. Charging: The light shows amber when the battery is charging.

2. Fully charged: The light shows blue when in AC mode.

computer.

Increase system volume/decrease system volume.

Puts your computer into power-saving mode.

Closed Front View

Icon Item Description

1 5-in-1 card reader Accepts Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory

Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD).

Note: Push to remove/install the card. Only one card can operate at any given time.

2 Latch Locks and releases the lid.

8 Chapter 1

Left View

# Icon Item Description

1 DC-in jack Connects to an AC adapter.

2 Ethernet (RJ-45)

port

3 HDMI HDMI port Supports high definition digital video connections.

4 External display

(VGA) port

5 USB 2.0 port Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB

6 Line-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio CD player,

Microphone-in jack

Headphones/ speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support

Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000-based network.

Connects to a display device (e.g., external monitor, LCD projector).

camera).

stereo walkman, mp3 player)

Accepts inputs from external microphones.

Connects to audio line-out devices (e.g., speakers, headphones).

Chapter 1 9

Right View

Icon Item Description

1 USB 2.0 port Connects to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB

camera).

2 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs.

3 Optical disk access

indicator

4 Optical drive eject

button

5 Emergency eject hole Ejects the optical drive tray when the computer is turned

6 Modem (RJ-11) port Connects to a phone line.

Lights up when the optical drive is active.

Ejects the optical disk from the drive.

off. Note: Insert a paper clip to the emergency eject hole to eject the optical drive tray when the computer is off.

7 Kensington lock slot Connects to a Kensington-compatible computer security

lock.

Rear View

# Item Description

1 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool, even after prolonged use.

10 Chapter 1

Bottom View

Icon Item Description

1 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.

2 Battery release latch Releases the battery for removal.

3 Battery lock Locks the battery in position.

4 Hard disk bay Houses the computer's hard disk (secured with screws).

5 Memory compartment Houses the computer's main memory.

6 Ventilation slots and

cooling fan

Enable the computer to stay cool, even after prolonged use.

Note: Do not cover or obstruct the opening of the fan.

Chapter 1 11

Indicators

The computer has several easy-to-read status indicators. The front panel indicators are visible even when the computer cover is closed.

Icon Function Description

Power Indicates the computer's power

status.

Battery Indicates the computer's battery

status.

NOTE: 1. Charging: The light shows amber when the battery is charging. 2. Fully charged: The light shows

green when in AC mode.

Easy-Launch Buttons

Located above the keyboard are application buttons. These buttons are called easy-launch buttons. They are: WLAN, Internet, email, Bluetooth, Arcade and Acer Empowering Technology.

The mail and Web browser buttons are pre-set to email and Internet programs, but can be reset by users. To set the Web browser, mail and programmable buttons, run the Acer Launch Manager.You can access the Launch Manager by clicking on Start, All Programs, and then Launch Manager to start the application.

Icon Function Description

Wireless LAN communication button/ indicator

Bluetooth communication button/indicator

3G 3G WWAN

communication button/ indicator

Backup key Launches Acer Backup Management for three-step data

VOL+ Volume up Increases the sound volume.

VOL- Volume down Decreases the sound volume.

Enables/disables the wireless LAN function. Indicates the status of wireless LAN communication.

Enables/disables the Bluetooth function. Indicates the status of Bluetooth communication. (only for certain models)

Enables/disables the 3G WWAN function. Indicates the status of 3G WWAN communication. (only for certain models)

backup.

Touchpad basics (with two-click buttons)

The following items show you how to use the touchpad with two-click buttons.

1 23

• Move your finger across the touchpad (1) to move the cursor.

• Press the left (2) and right (3) buttons located beneath the touchpad to perform selection and execution

functions. These two buttons are similar to the left and right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on the touchpad is the same as clicking the left button.

12 Chapter 1

Function Left button (2) Right button (3) Main touchpad (1)

Execute Quickly click twice. Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking

a mouse button).

Select Click once. Tap once.

Drag Click and hold, then use

finger on the touchpad to drag the cursor.

Access context menu

NOTE: Illustrations are for reference only. The exact configuration of your PC depends on the model

purchased.

NOTE: When using the touchpad, keep it — and your fingers — dry and clean. The touchpad is sensitive to

finger movement; hence, the lighter the touch, the better the response. Tapping harder will not increase the touchpad's responsiveness.

NOTE: By default, vertical and horizontal scrolling is enabled on your touchpad. It can be disabled under

Mouse settings in Windows Control Panel.

Click once.

Tap twice (at the same speed as double-clicking a mouse button); rest your finger on the touchpad on the second tap and drag the cursor.

Using the Keyboard

The keyboard has full-sized keys and an embedded numeric keypad, separate cursor, lock, Windows, function and special keys.

Lock Keys and embedded numeric keypad

The keyboard has three lock keys which you can toggle on and off.

Lock key Description

Caps Lock When Caps Lock is on, all alphabetic characters typed are

in uppercase.

Num Lock

Scroll Lock <Fn> + <F12>

The embedded numeric keypad functions like a desktop numeric keypad. It is indicated by small characters located on the upper right corner of the key caps. To simplify the keyboard legend, cursor-control key symbols are not printed on the keys.

Desired access Num Lock on Num Lock off

Number keys on embedded keypad

Cursor-control keys on embedded keypad

When Num Lock is on, the embedded keypad is in numeric mode. The keys function as a calculator (complete with the arithmetic operators +, -, *, and /). Use this mode when you need to do a lot of numeric data entry. A better solution would be to connect an external keypad.

NOTE: <Fn> + <F11> works only for certain models.

When Scroll Lock is on, the screen moves one line up or down when you press the up or down arrow keys respectively. Scroll Lock does not work with some applications.

Type numbers in a normal manner.

Hold <Shift> while using cursorcontrol keys.

Hold <Fn> while using cursorcontrol keys.

Chapter 1 13

Desired access Num Lock on Num Lock off

Main keyboard keys Hold <Fn> while typing letters on

embedded keypad.

Windows Keys

The keyboard has two keys that perform Windows-specific functions.

Key Description

Windows key

Application key

Pressed alone, this key has the same effect as clicking on the Windows Start button; it launches the Start menu. It can also be used with other keys to provide a variety of functions:

< >: Open or close the Start menu

< > + <D>: Display the desktop

< > + <E>: Open Windows Explore

< > + <F>: Search for a file or folder

< > + <G>: Cycle through Sidebar gadgets

< > + <L>: Lock your computer (if you are connected to a network domain), or switch users (if you're not connected to a network domain)

< > + <M>: Minimizes all windows

< > + <R>: Open the Run dialog box

< > + <T>: Cycle through programs on the taskbar

< > + <U>: Open Ease of Access Center

< > + <X>: Open Windows Mobility Center

< > + <BREAK>: Display the System Properties dialog box

< > + <SHIFT+M>: Restore minimized windows to the desktop

< > + <TAB>: Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-

< > + <SPACEBAR>: Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows Sidebar

<CTRL> + < > + <F>: Search for computers (if you are on a network)

<CTRL> + < > + <TAB>: Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the

taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-D Note: Depending on your edition of Windows Vista, some shortcuts may not

function as described.

This key has the same effect as clicking the right mouse button; it opens the application's context menu.

Type the letters in a normal manner.

14 Chapter 1

Hot Keys

The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the computer’s controls like screen brightness, volume output and the BIOS utility.

To activate hot keys, press and hold the <Fn> key before pressing the other key in the hotkey combination.

Hotkey Icon Function Description

<Fn> + <F2> Acer eSettings Launches Acer eSettings in Acer Empowering

Technology.

<Fn> + <F3> Bluetooth Enables/disables Bluetooth function.

<Fn> + <F4> Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.

<Fn> + <F5> Display toggle Switches display output between the display

screen, external monitor (if connected) and both.

<Fn> + <F6> Screen blank Turns the display screen backlight off to save

power. Press any key to return.

<Fn> + <F8> Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.

<Fn> + < > Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.

<Fn> + < > Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.

<Fn> + < > Volume up Increases the sound volume

(only for certain models).

<Fn> + < > Volume down Decreases the sound volume

(only for certain models).

Chapter 1 15

Special Key (only for certain models)

You can locate the Euro symbol and the US dollar sign at the upper-center and/or bottom-right of your keyboard.

The Euro symbol

1. Open a text editor or word processor.

2. Either press < > on the keyboard, or hold <Alt Gr> and then press the <5> key at the upper-center of

the keyboard.

NOTE: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/

typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information.

The US dollar sign

1. Open a text editor or word processor.

2. Either press < > at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold <Shift> and then press the <4> key at the

upper-center of the keyboard.

NOTE: This function varies according to the language settings.

16 Chapter 1

Using the System Utilities

Note:

Start Control Panel Display

Settings (2)

Extend my windows desktop onto this monitor

Apply OK

Start All Programs Acer GridVista

Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible)

NOTE: This feature is only available on certain models.

To enable the dual monitor feature of the notebook, first ensure that the second monitor is connected, then select Start, Control Panel, Display and click on Settings. Select the secondary monitor (2) icon in the display box and then click the check box Extend my windows desktop onto this monitor. Finally, click Apply to confirm the new settings and click OK to complete the process.

Acer GridVista is a handy utility that offers four pre-defined display settings so you can view multiple windows on the same screen. To access this function, please go to Start>All Programs and click on Acer GridVista. You may choose any one of the four display settings indicated below:

Double (vertical), Triple (primary at left), Triple (primary at right), or Quad Acer Gridvista is dual-display compatible, allowing two displays to be partitioned independently.

Acer Gridvista is dual-display compatible, allowing two displays to be partitioned independently.

AcerGridVista is simple to set up:

1. Run Acer GridVista and select your preferred screen configuration for each display from the task bar.

2. Drag and drop each window into the appropriate grid.

3. Enjoy the convenience of a well-organized desktop.

Chapter 1 17

NOTE: Please ensure that the resolution setting of the second monitor is set to the manufacturer's

recommended value.

18 Chapter 1

Hardware Specifications and Configurations





Processor

Item Specification

CPU type Aspire 5738DG: Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor P7350 (2.0 GHz)

Aspire 5738DZG: Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor T4300 (2.1 GHz) Aspire 5738G: Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor P7450 (2.13GHz), T6400

(2.0 GHz) and T6600 (2.2GHz) Aspire 5738ZG: Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor T4200 (2.0 GHz) Aspire 5738Z: Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor T4200 (2.0 GHz) Aspire 5738: Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor T6400 (2.0 GHz) Aspire 5338: Intel CMT1600 Aspire 5542G: AMD Turion M620 2.5G 2M and AMD Turion M600 2.4G 2M Aspire 5542: AMD Turion II M520 2.3G Aspire 5242: Mobile AMD Sempron M100 2.0G Aspire 5536/5536G/5236 Series:

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 dual-core mobile processor 2.1GHz

AMD Turion™ X2 Ultra dual-core mobile processor 2.2GHz/2.1GHz

Mobile AMD Sempron™ processor 2.1GHz

Core logic Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG and Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338:

Mobile Intel® GM45/GL40/PM45 Express Chipset Aspire 5536/5536G/5236: AMD M780G Chipset

CPU package Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG and Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338: 478-pin

micro-FCPGA Aspire 5536/5536G/5236: Socket S1

CPU core voltage Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG and Aspire 5738G/5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338: 1.0375V

to 1.3V Aspire 5536/5536G/5236: 1.35V to 1.5V

CPU Fan True Value Table

DTS(degree C) Fan Speed (rpm) Acoustic Level (dBA)

45-50 0-3000 29

55-66 0-3300 33

68-74 3300-3800 38

78-83 3800-4100 40

86-91 4100-4800 40

Throttling 50%: On= 99 C; OFF=93 C

OS shut down at 105 C; H/W shot down at 110 .C

BIOS

Item Specification

BIOS vendor Phoenix

BIOS Version 1.04c

Chapter 1 19

System Memory

Item Specification

Memory controller Built-in

Memory size 0MB (no on-board memory)

DIMM socket number 2 sockets

Supports memory size per socket 2048MB

Supports maximum memory size 4G for 64bit OS (with two 2GB SODIMM)

Supports DIMM type DDR 3 synchronous DRAM

DDR 2 synchronous DRAM

Supports DIMM Speed 800/1066 MHz; 667/800 MHz

Supports DIMM voltage 1.5V

Supports DIMM package 240-pin soDIMM

Memory module combinations You can install memory modules in any combinations as long as

they match the above specifications.

Memory Combinations

Slot 1 Slot 2 Total Memory

0MB 512MB 512MB

0MB 1024MB 1024MB

0MB 2048MB 2048MB

512MB 512MB 1024MB

512MB 1024MB 1536MB

512MB 2048MB 2560MB

1024MB 0MB 1024MB

1024MB 512MB 1536MB

1024MB 1024MB 2048MB

1024MB 2048MB 3072MB

2048MB 0MB 2048MB

2048MB 512MB 2560MB

2048MB 1024MB 3072MB

2048MB 2048MB 4096MB

NOTE: Above table lists some system memory configurations. You may combine DIMMs with various

capacities to form other combinations. On above table, the configuration of slot 1 and slot 2 could be reversed.

LAN Module

Item Specification

LAN Chipset Broadcom BCM5784

Supports LAN protocol 10/100/1000 Mbps

LAN connector type RJ45

LAN connector location Left side

Features Integrated 10/100 BASE-T transceiver

Wake on LAN support compliant with ACPI 2.0 PCI v2.2

20 Chapter 1

Bluetooth Interface

Item Specification

Chipset Foxconn Bluetooth FOX_BRM_2.0 F/W 300; Foxconn

Bluetooth BRM 2046 BT2.1

Data throughput 723 bps (full speed data rate)

Protocol Bluetooth 1.1 (Upgradeable to Bluetooth 1.2 when SIG

specification is ratified).

Interface USB 1.1

Connector type USB

Wireless Module 802.11b/g/n

Item Specification

Chipset Aspire 5738DG/5738DZG Series and Aspire 5738G/

5738ZG/5738Z/5738/5338 Series: Unex HB95; LAN Intel WLAN 512AN_HMWG Shirley Peak 5100 MM#895373; Foxconn Wireless LAN Atheros AR5B91 1x2 BGN/WLAN

802.11ABGN SHIRLEYPEAK1*2; Lan Intel WLAN 533AN_MMWG Shirley Peak MM#895362

Aspire 5536/5536G/5236 Series: Foxconn Wireless LAN Atheros AR5B91 1x2 BGN; QMI Wireless LAN Atheros AR5B91 1x2 BGN; Foxconn FOX_ATH_XB63; Foxconn Atheros XB63 minicard b/g

Aspire 5542G/5542/5242 Series: Foxconn Wireless LAN Atheros HB95 1x1 BG (HM); QMI Wireless LAN Atheros HB93 1x2 BGN (HM)

Data throughput 11~54 Mbps, up to 270 Mbps for Draft-N

Protocol 802.11b+g, Draft-N

Interface PCI bus (mini PCI socket for wireless module)

Hard Disk Drive Interface

Item

Vendor & Model Name

Capacity

HDD WD 2.5" 5400rpm 160GB WD1600BEVT22ZCTO

SEAGATE 2.5" 5400rpm 160GB ST9160314AS

HGST 2.5" 5400rpm 250GB HTS545025B9A300

SEAGATE 2.5" 5400rpm 250GB

HGST 2.5" 5400rpm 320GB HTS545032B9A300

HDD WD 2.5" 5400rpm 320GB WD3200BEVT22ZCT0 22ZCT0

HGST 2.5" 5400rpm 500GB HTS545050B9A300

160000 250000 320000 500000

(MB)

Bytes per

512 512 512 512

sector

Data heads 3/4 2 3 4

Drive Format

Disks 2 1 2 2

Spindle

5400 RPM 5400 RPM 5400 RPM 5400 RPM speed (RPM)

Performance Specifications

Chapter 1 21

Hard Disk Drive Interface

Item

Buffer size 8MB 8MB 8MB 8MB

Interface SATA SATA SATA SATA

Max. media transfer rate (disk-buffer, Mbytes/s)

540 875

(Max. 3.0 Gbit/s Buffer-host data transfer)

875 (Max. 3.0 Gbit/s Buffer-host data transfer)

DC Power Requirements

Voltage

5V(DC) +/- 5% 5V(DC) +/- 5% 5V(DC) +/- 5% 5V(DC) +/- 5% tolerance

Optical Disc Drive

Item Specification

Vendor & model name HLDS Super-Multi Drive DL 8X GT30N LF

SONY Super-Multi Drive DL 8X AD-7590S LF SONY Super-Multi Drive DL 8X AD-7580S LF TOSHIBA Super-Multi Drive DL 8X TS-L633B LF TOSHIBA Super-Multi Drive DL 8X TS-L633C

Performance Specification With CD Diskette With DVD Diskette

Transfer rate (KB/sec) Sustained:

Max 3.6Mbytes/sec

Sustained: Max 10.08Mbytes/sec

Buffer Memory 2MB

Interface SATA

Applicable disc format Applicable disc format

CD: CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, Photo CD (multi-session), Video CD, Cd-Extra (CD+), CD-text

DVD: DVD-VIDEO, DVD-ROM, DVD-R (3.9GB, 4.7GB) DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW

CD: CD-DA (Red Book) - Standard Audio CD & CD-TEXT CD-ROM (Yellow Book Mode1 & 2) - Standard Data CD-ROM XA (Mode2 Form1 & 2) - Photo CD, Multi-Session CD-I (Green Book, Mode2 Form1 & 2, Ready, Bridge) CD-Extra/ CD-Plus (Blue Book) - Audio & Text/Video Video-CD (White Book) - MPEG1 Video CD-R (Orange Book Part) CD-RW & HSRW (Orange Book Part Volume1 & Volume 2 Super Audio CD (SACD) Hybrid type US & US+ RW DVD: DVD-ROM (Book 1.02), DVD-Dual DVD-Video (Book 1.1) DVD-R (Book 1.0, 3.9G) DVD-R (Book 2.0, 4.7G) - General & Authoring DVD+R (Version 1.0) DVD+RW DVD-RW (Non CPRM & CPRM) DVD°”R Dual

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